Ralph Porter
© 2003
AUTHOR
Amos was an unlikely candidate for prophet.
His family background was not significant.
7:14
--Not a prophet
--Not a "son of a prophet"
--He was a farmer
His work was that of a herdsman and dresser of sycamore figs.
He came from Tekoa, ten miles south of Jerusalem (1:1)
He, a citizen of Judah, was called by God to take a message of judgment to Israel.
7:15
--He never asked for this job! God called him.
DATE
Amos was a contemporary of Uzziah (767-39 B.C.) and Jeroboam II (782-753
B.C.).
These two kings ruled simultaneously from 767 to 753 B.C.
BACKGROUND
Israel was having military success and becoming prosperous.
At the same time, it was characterized by immorality and idolatry.
The message is given about thirty years before the destruction of Israel.
Their course toward destruction was firmly set.
The political/socio-economic decline was about to begin.
The spiritual decline had already begun.
2:6-7; 8:4-6 --Injustice abounds
2:12 --They reject what Go has established
5:12 --Bribes
5:25-26 --Idolatry
PURPOSE AND THEME
Amos attempts to warn the northern kingdom that judgment is coming soon.
His purpose is to call them to repentance in order to prevent their fall.
ORGANIZATION
The book begins with a description of the judgment about to fall on the
surrounding
pagan nations 1-2
Each nation surrounding Israel is dealt with, slowly closing in and
including Israel at
the end.
Detailed attention is directed to the judgment of Israel and their subsequent
restoration
3-9
THE JUST JUDGMENT OF
GOD--A WARNING FOR ISRAEL
Ralph Porter
|
JUDGMENT OF THE NATIONS 1-2 |
JUDGMENT OF THE REBELLIOUS
PEOPLE--ISRAEL
3-9 | ||
|
Eight Nations
|
Three Messages
3-6 |
Five Visions
7-9:10 |
Promise of Restoration 9:11-15 |
|
|
Cause and Certainty of the Coming Judgment |
Illustrations of the Coming Judgment |
|
|
Introduction 1:1-2
Revealed 1:3-2:16 Against Syria 1:3-5 Against Philistia 1:6-8 Against Phoenicia 1:9-10 Against Edom 1:11-12 Against Ammon 1:13-15 Against Moab 2:1-3 Against Judah 2:4-5 Against Israel 2:6-16 Cause 2:6-12 Injustice 2:6-8 Rebellion 2:9-12 Description 2:13-16
|
1st Message: Privileged Position Abused => Judgment 3
Playing Games with God => Judgment 4
Rejection of Invitation to Repent => Judgment 5-6
|
First Three Visions 7:1-9
Locust Plague 7:1-3
7:4-6
Plumb line 7:7-9
for Rejection 7:10-17
8-9:10
Summer Fruit 8:1-14
Smitten Lintel 9:1-20
|
Restoration of the Throne 9:11-12
of Prosperity 9:13
of the Land 9:14-15
|
Ralph Porter
Remember how at the end of the school year they would always have a year book
signing party?
There would always be an opportunity to select the person "most likely to succeed!"
If, when Amos went to school, they had a designation for the person "most likely to
become your neighborhood prophet," he would certainly not have been the one
chosen for that honor!
AUTHOR
Every glimpse into the background of Amos would seem to make him an
unlikely
candidate for prophet.
Though apparently familiar with the Pentateuch, Amos was not instructed in the
schools
of the prophets, nor was he commissioned as a prophet.
His family background was not significant.
7:14
Not a prophet--Never commissioned formally as a prophet
Not a "son of a prophet--"Never went to prophets' school.
(He wasn't a seminary grad!)
He was a farmer!
His work was that of a herdsman and dresser of sycamore
figs--He was a
farmer!
(7:14)
He probably owned a small plot of land with a few oxen.
He would have been middle class in a small farming community.
He came from Tekoa, ten miles south of Jerusalem (1:1).
Amos, though a citizen of Judah, was called by God to take a message of judgment to
Israel.
7:15
"Yahweh took me from following the flock"
He never asked for this job!
God called him!
How did Amos view his call by God?
3:8
"When God speaks, everybody listens!"
When God says, "Speak!" You have to do what He tells you.
Contemporary prophets:
Previous to Amos: Elisha died about 40 years before (ca. 800 B.C.)
Jonah
Following Amos: Hosea (N)
Isaiah, Micah (S)
DATE
According to the introduction to the book, Amos was a contemporary of Uzziah
(767-39 B.C.) and Jeroboam II (782-753 B.C.).
These two kings ruled simultaneously from 767 to 753 B.C.
A date near the end of that period seems logical, perhaps about 760 to 753 B.C.
BACKGROUND
Israel was under the reign of Jeroboam II (Judah was under
Uzziah)
Jeroboam II
-- 2 Kings 14:23-29
Descendant of Jehu (3rd generation of the 4)
2 Ki. 10:27-32 (Cf. Ex. 32:3-5)
Like all the kings of Israel, he was an evil king.
But he was one of the "good-bad" kings of Israel!
Continued the error of Jeroboam I
That's why he was named after him.
His family valued Jeroboam's style.
Jeroboam reigned during a time of prosperity
He restored dominion of Israel over Damascus and Hamath (Syria)
One of the most capable kings of Israel (N)
Extended the borders back to those of David/Solomon's time
(Including
what
Uzziah added)
He trusted in his wealth and power, rather than in Yahweh
Israel was enjoying military success and becoming prosperous.
At the same time, it was characterized by immorality and idolatry.
The conditions are the same as those underlying Hosea's message, since the
two were
contemporary prophets to Israel (N).
The message is given about thirty years before the destruction of Israel.
Their course toward destruction was firmly set.
The political/socio-economic decline was about to begin.
The spiritual decline already had. Look at the description:
2:6-7; 8:4-6
Injustice abounds
2:12 They reject what God has established
5:12 Bribes
5:25-26 Idolatry
In short, like other pre-exilic prophets,
Background: Sin and idolatry
Purpose: Repentance
Message: Judgment
PURPOSE AND THEME
Amos attempts to warn the northern kingdom that judgment is coming soon.
His purpose is to call them to repentance in order to prevent their fall.
ORGANIZATION
The book begins with a description of the judgment about to fall on the
surrounding
pagan nations 1-2
Each of the nations surrounding Israel is dealt with,
slowly closing in and including Israel at the end.
Specific detailed attention is then directed to the judgment of Israel and their
subsequent restoration. 3-9
ARGUMENT
Eight nations judged
1-2
INTRODUCTION
1:1-2
Amos begins with an introduction presenting his own background and the time
at which
these words were revealed 1:1
The basic theme of the book is revealed to be judgment
1:2
"The Lord roars and thunders!"
JUDGMENT REVEALED
1:3-2:16
Amos begins by giving the broad scope of the coming judgment.
He wants them to see it in proper perspective.
The judgment of God is not directed at Israel alone, but on the whole region.
Amos predicts judgment against:
Damascus (Syria)
Gaza (Philistines)
Tyre (Phoenicians) Edom (Esau's descendants)
Ammon Moab.
Why these?
The judgment on these nations is based on their treatment of Israel.
God's standards for judging pagan nations are different than His
standards for
judging His people.
"For three . . . , even for four . . . ."
Three is sufficient cause. "Three strikes you're out!"
But they had four! They've gone far beyond!
This is one more offense than even God can tolerate!
Judgment on Syria
1:3-5
Against whom? Why?
They threshed
Gilead--Manasseh, Reuben and Gad
(Transjordan)
What's the judgment?
Destruction, dispersion
Judgment on Philistia
1:6-8
Against whom?
Traditional city-states of the Philistines
Why?
They took a people (Israel) captive to deliver them to Edom
What's the judgment?
Fire and
destruction--they will perish
Judgment on Phoenicia
1:9-10
Against whom? Why?
They delivered a population (Israel) to Edom
They forgot about the covenant they had made with Israel
What's the judgment?
Destruction by fire
Judgment on Edom
1:11-12
Against whom? Why?
They went after their brother
The descendants of Esau went after the descendants of Israel (Jacob)
Stayed
angry--refused to forgive
What is the judgment?
Destruction by fire
Judgment on Ammon
1:13-15
Against whom? Why?
Descendants of Lot (Gen. 19:30-38)
Attack on
Gilead--ripped open their pregnant women
What is the judgment?
Destruction by fire
Captivity
Judgment on Moab
2:1-3
Against whom? Why?
Descendants of Lot
They burned the bones of the king of Edom
This was a demonstration of exaggerated anger and vengeance.
What is the judgment?
Destruction by fire
No rulers
left--headless government
Judgment on Judah
2:4-5
Against whom?
Following the announcement of judgment on the other nations, Amos
moves on to
predict judgment against Judah.
Why?
Their judgment in caused by rejection of the law and unfaithful conduct.
Different standard applied than for pagans. This is God's people!
What is the judgment?
Destruction by
fire--impacted all of Judah in general.
Only Jerusalem was spared because of Hezekiah.
In the end, Jerusalem is also judged.
Judgment on Israel
2:6-16
When Amos completes these announcements, the reader can picture the
rejoicing
of Israel at the good news.
All their enemies around them are going to be destroyed by God!
Even their chief rival, Judah, is going to be destroyed.
Now they can enjoy their recently gained wealth, free from
oppression.
Then the prophet goes too far!
Against whom? Why?
He announces judgment on Israel (N) because of their greed and
immorality.
In spite of their privileged position before God, they have rejected
Him and
sought to follow their own wicked way.
Cause of judgment
2:6-12
Injustice
2:6-8
Rebellion
2:9-12
What is the judgment?
Description of the judgment
2:13-16
Destruction
The first part of the book can be summarized:
1.
God is going to judge the nations because of their treatment of His
people,
Israel.
2.
God is going to judge His people because of their disobedience and
rebellion
against Him.
THREE MESSAGES: CAUSE AND CERTAINTY OF JUDGMENT
3-6
Following the announcement of judgment, Amos describes in detail, in three
messages, the cause and certainty of the judgment coming against Israel.
Introduced by "Hear this word, . . . ."
3:1; 4:1; 5:1
First message: Privileged position abused
3
They're judged because they have a privileged position but have been
unfaithful.
Privileged position
3:1-2
Their privileged position is first presented.
What privilege have they received?
Divine message
3:3-8
The message is declared to be the necessary result of Yahweh's speaking.
Amos had no choice in the matter.
It was God's message.
He had to proclaim it!
Sinful reputation
3:9-10
The cause of judgment, namely, their guilt, is said to be reported among
the
nations.
Everybody knows about it!
Certain judgment
3:11-15
Therefore, judgment is certain.
An enemy will surround them.
Death and destruction will follow.
Second message: Playing games with God
4
Injustice and hypocrisy
4:1-5
They are judged because of their greed and selfishness, and because their
religion
is purely hypocritical and self-centered.
How are they treating their neighbor?
What is the main characteristic of their worship that is about to provoke divine
judgment?
Repeated warnings
4:6-11
God has given them many warnings! What are the main ones?
4:6, 7-8, 9, 10, 11
They have been warned repeatedly, through famine, drought, plague,
pestilence,
and the overthrow of cities.
How have they responded to the warnings?
Yet, they have not returned to the Lord.
Therefore, what is God going to do about it?
Coming judgment
4:12-13
The judgment of God will come on them to show them that they are
playing games
with the great God of the universe.
You can't play games with God and walk away unscathed!
They're about to find out who they're fooling around with.
They're going to "meet Him"-come face-to-face with Him.